Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances – known commonly as PFAS – are a suite of synthetic chemicals used to make consumer items such as non-stick cookware, food packaging, clothing, and furniture. Concern for PFAS has increased as these chemicals are found to not break down in the environment - thereby giving them the name of forever chemicals – and have been linked to certain cancers in humans.

A recent study has estimated that over 200 million Americans have been exposed to PFAS through drinking water sources. And further research suggest that PFAS are found in aquatic organism like fish, and can bioaccumulate up to humans once the fish are eaten, much like mercury bioaccumulation (see our recent article on mercury pollution in fish here).

This guide was made to help you understand where PFAS comes from, its effect on human health, and how freshwater sources and aquatic organisms can both be pathways for humans to become exposed to PFAS. We have also provided you a summary at the bottom of this article to get you up to speed faster.

We are getting close to Thanksgiving! What better way to celebrate than with a story on Phoenix's Water Thanksgiving! Ever heard of it? Well find out more here.

Invasive Carp Like Bighead and Silver Carp are huge problems in some US waterways. So how did they get here and are there any ways to stop them. Find out more in this weeks episode.

What doe Eagles and Water Quality have in common. As it turns out, more than you think. Check out this podcast where Matt describes the mystery of dying eagles and the unique findings researchers made on the topic.

From kids fishing a local pond to multi-day ocean charters, recreational fishing is a pastime enjoyed by many. In fact, the American Sportfishing Association (2019) reported that recreational fishing is the second most popular activity after jogging with one in six Americans fishing yearly; that is 49.4 million anglers. There are more anglers than people who play golf (23.8 million participants) and tennis (18.1 million) combined.

With this angling popularity comes an economic stimulus to local communities near quality fishing areas. The American Sportfishing Association (2019) reported the recreational fishing economy (both inland and sea fishing) generates a $129 billion in economic output yearly in the United States.

In this podcast, we will break down what all makes up this $129 Billion dollar fishing industry, and will go into detail regarding the many facets of the recreational fishing economy such as tournament fishing and the top five freshwater fish species that people spend money on.

Can community based conservation succeed in preserving freshwater resources? Check out how Brazilian community conservation has kept valuable Arapaima population thriving for all to enjoy.

In April 2022, a Kentucky man was sentenced to one year of prison because of harvesting a sturgeon illegally. The Rolling Stones also reported in April on California police officers uncovering an illegal sturgeon poaching ring when authorities discovered a 7-foot still-living sturgeon in the back of a suspect’s gray hatchback during a traffic stop. Although no one in the California sturgeon bust has been sentenced yet, it is expected that suspects will receive harsh sentences.

So why are people catching sturgeon without a licenses and out of season, and, why are they going to jail for a seemingly long time for just fishing outside of a state’s regulations? The answer to this is complicated, and we will get into it, but in short, these individuals aren't just fishing for sturgeon, but for their roe (eggs). These eggs can be turned into caviar, which can be sold on the black market for high prices. In this article, we will discuss the history of both the legal and illegal caviar trade and why individuals risk it all to obtain this lucrative fish product.

Climate change is impacting many facets of life, but how will change freshwater sports fishing. Luckily research has looked into this and have found some surprising facts. Listen here.

Los Angeles water was not always what it once was, but with the help of a few key individuals, and an aqueduct, the city has grown to one of the largest in the US. However, the creation of the Aqueduct was not without issues. Listen in to hear the story of the LA water wars.

Changing Climates will have a big impact on freshwater fisheries, but will some populations survive? Tune in to see what the scientific literature shows.